Easy baked turkey and cheese sliders covered in a simple honey mustard glaze. Feel free to swap the meat and/or cheese for your preferences, or use mini rolls instead. This recipe is so versatile!
“I just made this recipe this past weekend for my SIL’s baby shower. To be fair, I was skeptical. I’m not a fan of squishy food textures. I was afraid of the glaze making the bread soggy, but they were AWESOME! A slight crunch on top and the bread (I used Hawaiian rolls) was not squishy or soggy at all! Pleasantly surprised and would gladly make them again.” — Leslie
If there is one thing I have come to appreciate more than ever since having kids, it’s quick-prep meals. I mean, not that I’ve ever been a huge fan of laboring over a hot stove or oven to get a meal on the table, but ever since our first born learned to walk and talk, this solo-parenting-every-evening life brought us a whole new ball game I was not prepared for.
As soon as that dude started walking, gone were the days of plopping him in his bouncer or corralling him in the kitchen with some toys on the floor while I put things together.
I learned quickly that the less time I had to spend with my hands and attention up on the counter, the more time I was able to spend with my kiddo pointing at everything (everythingggg) in our house while dinner made itself.
Well, sort of. These baked turkey sliders are not a slow cooker meal, but they’re darn close to set-it-and-forget-it!
Turkey and cheese sliders are the perfect easy appetizer or meal for any occasion. These bite-sized sandwiches are packed with flavor and so simple to make. I’ll walk you through how to make turkey and cheese sliders step-by-step, as well as provide some tips for customizing them to your taste.
Ingredients Needed
To make basic turkey and cheese sliders you’ll need
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Slider buns or small rolls – Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls work well. You’ll need 12 rolls to make 12 sliders.
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Deli turkey – Use thinly sliced turkey, about 3/4 pound. You can also use leftover roasted turkey
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Cheese slices – Thinly sliced Swiss, cheddar, or provolone, about 3/4 pound total.
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Butter – 1/2 cup melted butter for brushing on the rolls. Unsalted is best.
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Seasonings – Garlic salt, oregano, everything bagel seasoning, etc to taste.
How to Assemble the Sliders
Making the sliders is very straightforward:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
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Slice rolls horizontally. Don’t fully separate top and bottom. Place bottom halves on baking sheet.
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Layer turkey on roll bottoms, about 2-3 slices per roll.
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Top with cheese slices. Cover turkey evenly with cheese.
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Add roll tops and press down lightly.
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Brush butter on top of rolls. Mix seasonings into melted butter first if desired.
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Bake 20-25 minutes until rolls are browned and cheese melty.
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Let cool 5 minutes then separate sliders to serve.
Cooking Tips
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Watch closely as the rolls bake so the tops don’t burn. Cover with foil if needed.
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For convenience, assemble sliders up to 4 hours before baking. Store covered in fridge.
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Double or triple the recipe as needed to serve a crowd. Add a couple extra minutes to the bake time.
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To reheat leftovers, bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warm.
Variations
There are lots of ways to customize turkey and cheese sliders:
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Use different cheeses – cheddar, provolone, pepperjack, etc.
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Add veggies – lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions.
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Spread condiments on rolls before building – mustard, mayo, pesto, horseradish.
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Mix seasonings into butter – garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, lemon zest.
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Top with extras – bacon, avocado, pickle chips.
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Make buffalo turkey sliders with buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles.
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Use cranberry sauce and brie for a twist on turkey and cheese.
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Try different breads – potato rolls, pretzel rolls, sourdough.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey and cheese sliders make a great appetizer for parties. They’re also perfect for lunches and dinners:
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Pair with side salads like pasta salad, fruit salad, or slaw.
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Serve with fries or tater tots for an easy meal.
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Add a vegetable side like roasted broccoli or green beans.
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For a hearty dinner, include mashed or baked potatoes.
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Kids love dipping the sliders in ketchup or ranch dressing.
Keep extras chilled in the fridge for quick snacks too!
FAQs
What’s the best turkey to use?
Thin sliced deli turkey works well. You want an even thickness to fit nicely on the rolls.
Can I prepare sliders ahead of time?
Yes, assemble completely then refrigerate up to 4 hours before baking.
How long will baked sliders keep?
Leftover baked sliders will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat before serving.
Can I freeze the sliders?
You can freeze assembled, unbaked sliders for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before baking.
Can I use chicken instead?
Absolutely! Follow the same method with cooked chicken slices.
Turkey and cheese sliders are simple to prepare using ingredients you probably already have on hand. With the basic formula, you can get creative and customize them to your tastes. Warm, melty, and flavorful, these little sandwiches will be a hit at your next gathering!
These Turkey Sliders are so easy (and awesome)
You’ve likely seen this simple turkey sliders recipe show up at some sort of group meal/potluck/picnic in the past, because hellooooo, they’re awesome.
But once I started adding quick meals to our nightly routine, I decided I wanted to change things up a bit and make the recipe a bit healthier for myself and our (then) toddler because in my opinion, the O.G. recipe tends to be a little sticky and drippy for me.
Not that I don’t welcome that kind of situation (looking at you, salted caramel brownies), but when it comes to a meal, I’d prefer to make things a bit on the less sticky, because there’s not much worse than sticky kid hands.
HOW LONG ARE TURKEY SLIDERS GOOD FOR IN THE FRIDGE?
Turkey sliders will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but pay attention to the expiration date on your turkey if you’re using cold cuts. If you made your turkey from scratch or leftover, the timing on freshness for those will also be a factor in how long your sliders will last.
Parties, a meal for someone in need, easy lunches, or a way to repurpose leftovers, these sliders are a favorite here, and I’m thinking they’ll be favorite with you soon, too.